Tigers staff piles up Ks against A's

Updated 9:41 pm, Sunday, April 14, 2013

Last season, the A's proved whiffing and winning are not mutually exclusive. They struck out an American League-record 1,387 times - and still managed to become Western Division champions.

After fanning only 57 times in their first 10 games, the A's struck out 38 times in three games against Detroit over the weekend, including eight times against winner Anibal Sanchezin seven innings Sunday.

Of course, the fact Sanchez, Max Scherzer(Friday night's starter) and Justin Verlander(Saturday) can make many hitters head back to the dugout after strike three explains some of the high K count in the past three games.

"Every starter they have, they know how to pitch," A's catcher Derek Norrissaid. "They have a plan, they stick to it, and they do a good job of keeping you off-balance."

The Tigers' staff came into Sunday leading the American League in strikeouts. Detroit now has 111 in 108 2/3 innings.

River Cats raking Reno: Triple-A Sacramento made it three wins in three games in Reno on Sunday, rolling to a 22-6 laugher. Center fielder Michael Choiceand catcher Stephen Vogteach hit two homers. Choice and Vogt combined for nine hits (five by Vogt), nine runs (five scored by Choice) and nine RBIs (six by Vogt).

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

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OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 14: Anibel Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the third inning at O.co Coliseum on April 14, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 14: Anibel Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the third inning at O.co Coliseum on April 14, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W.

The River Cats won 16-8 on Friday and 15-11 on Saturday. They get another chance to put up a football score when the series ends Monday night.

Briefly: The A's 9-4 mark is tied for the fifth best after 13 games in franchise history. In 1981, Oakland went 12-1. The 1990 and '78 Oakland Athletics and the 1913 Philadelphia Athletics each went 10-3. ... First baseman Brandon Mossis riding an 0-for-16 slump. That's one at-bat shy of the longest hitless stretch of his career. Moss did make an excellent grab on Omar Infante's foul popup in the seventh inning Sunday.

A's on deck

A's leading off

Crisp update: Center fielder Coco Crisp missed his second straight game because of a strained left groin. Manager Bob Melvin said Crisp's availability for Monday's game against Houston will be a game-time decision.